Several incidences of looting reported

Despite efforts by Topeka law enforcement officers and airmen from Forbes Air Force Base to secure damaged areas, several incidences of looting were reported after the tornado. And some residents took up arms to try to protect their own and others’ property.

Reports included individuals carting off items from the rubble and ransacking food from damaged kitchen cabinets; youths taking cigarettes, whiskey and automobile supplies from buildings; and the theft of shortening and knives at Lime Street Market in East Topeka.

Police detectives watched a man get out of his car, go into Ripley Park, 300 S.E. Lawrence, and carry off a television deposited there by the funnel.

“Sometimes (it was) hard to tell the looters from the workers,” Topeka Police Capt. Dan Mallory said. “We’ve stopped several cars but usually they’re just people moving their own stuff out.”